DHCD Announces $34 Million in CDBG Awards

by | Mar 2, 2021 | Housing News

On March 2, DHCD announced $34 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards to 41 communities. The awards will help will help cities and towns rehabilitate more than 350 homes, fund 17 infrastructure improvement projects, and support programming for children, teenagers, survivors of domestic violence, homeless individuals, and the elderly.

CDBG funds local community development activities with the stated goal of providing affordable housing, anti-poverty programs, and infrastructure development.

CDBG Awards

AMESBURY will receive $550,000 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 10 units and an after school program for youth.

AMHERST will receive $825,000 for Mill Lane infrastructure improvements, housing authority modernization, microenterprise assistance to 25 businesses, and to provide support for a food pantry, youth mentoring, adult literacy, immigrant services and family stabilization services.

ATHOL will receive $800,000 for infrastructure improvements to Walnut Street neighborhood.

BLANDFORD will receive $449,825 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 12 units and to produce and ADA Transition plan.

BUCKLAND will receive $756,798 for infrastructure improvements to Lower Ashfield Street and to support a food pantry.

CHELSEA will receive $825,000 for Cherry Street road and sidewalk improvements, Chelsea Square Park improvements, housing rehabilitation assistance for 4 units and social service assistance to include youth services, ESOL and citizenship training.

CHESTER, HUNTINGTON, MIDDLEFIELD will receive $1,300,000 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 6 units, Prospect Street infrastructure improvements and social service assistance for domestic violence prevention, family health, elder services and to support a food pantry.

CHESTERFIELD, CUMMINGTON, GOSHEN, PERU, PLAINFIELD and WILLIAMSBURG, WORTHINGTON will receive $1,300,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 16 units, design for a senior center and to provide childcare assistance, elder services and to support a food pantry.

DALTON, BECKETT, SHEFFIELD, STOCKBRIDGE will receive $1,298,304 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 units and to produce ADA Plans for Dalton, Beckett and Stockbridge.

DENNIS, BREWSTER, WELLFLEET will receive $1,300,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 15 units and childcare assistance.

EASTHAMPTON will receive $800,000 for infrastructure improvements to Admiral Street neighborhood.

EDGARTOWN, AQUINNAH and WEST TISBURY will receive $1,300,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 25 units and to provide childcare assistance.

EGREMONT, GREAT BARRINGTON, SANDISFIELD will receive $1,300,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 29 units.

EVERETT will receive $825,000 to provide design for Chelsea Street playground improvements, a housing production plan, housing rehabilitation assistance for 11 units and social service assistance to include homelessness prevention, ESOL, youth services, elder services and a food pantry.

GARDNER will receive $825,000 for downtown infrastructure improvements, design for downtown infrastructure improvements and Park Street park improvements and social service assistance to include youth services, substance abuse service and domestic violence prevention services.

GREENFIELD will receive $825,000 for West Street infrastructure improvements, downtown revitalization planning and to support a food pantry, elder services and adult literacy.

HEATH AND HAWLEY will receive $876,713 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 16 units.

HOLLAND AND WALES will receive $582,200 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 12 units, design for Union Road infrastructure improvements and social service assistance for domestic violence prevention and to support a food pantry.

HUNTINGTON will receive $572,248 for infrastructure improvements to Crescent Street and ADA improvements to town hall.

LEICESTER will receive $335,200 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 7 units and design for ADA improvements to Russell Memorial park.

MARLBOROUGH will receive $799,455 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 10 units, roof repairs to Liberty Hill public housing, infrastructure improvements to Harrison Place and youth services.

METHUEN will receive $550,000 for ADA improvements to Broadway Street and social service assistance for youth services, childcare, elder transportation and adult literacy.

MILLBURY AND DUDLEY will receive $664,500 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 15 units, design for Pear-Maple infrastructure improvements in Millbury and design for Millbury senior center improvements.

MONTAGUE will receive $675,519 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 2 units, Avenue A streetscape improvements, design for Hillcrest playground improvements and to provide social services to include family counseling, recovery counseling, a meals program and youth services.

NORTH ADAMS will receive $825,000 for Liberty and North Holden Street improvements, senior center improvements and social services.

NORTH BROOKFIELD AND BROOKFIELD will receive $661,500 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 14 units and North Brookfield senior center improvements.

NORTHBRIDGE will receive $800,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 14 units and planning to prepare an area wide slum and blight inventory.

OAK BLUFFS, CHILMARK and TISBURY will receive $1,300,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 25 units and to provide childcare assistance.

ORANGE will receive $575,342 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 5 units and social service assistance for disability services, mediation services, family counseling, adult education and a food pantry.

PALMER will receive $825,000 to provide housing rehabilitation to 15 units, Hyrniewicz Park design, a housing production plan and domestic violence prevention and transportation services.

ROCKLAND will receive $729,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 11 units and housing authority modernization.

SALISBURY will receive $550,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 8 units, design for Meanders Lane neighborhood improvements and social services assistance to Boys and Girls Club, childcare and homelessness and food pantry.

SHELBURNE will receive $787,832 for Bridge Street infrastructure improvements and to support a food pantry.

SOUTH HADLEY will receive $512,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 12 units and design for Center Street improvements.

SOUTHBRIDGE will receive $825,000 for West Street roadway improvements, McCann Field improvement and code enforcement.

SOUTHWICK will receive $468,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 6 units, design for North Lake Avenue infrastructure improvements and to support a food pantry.

TRURO, EASTHAM and PROVINCETOWN will receive $1,300,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 25 units and to provide childcare assistance.

WARE will receive $800,000 for Bank Street infrastructure improvements and social services assistance for domestic violence prevention, health services and literacy services.

WAREHAM will receive $825,000 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 8 units, Bayview Park sidewalk improvements, and support for a food pantry, homelessness prevention, Boys and Girls Club, and literacy and transportation services.

WEBSTER will receive $825,000 for Granite Street infrastructure improvements and downtown and Riverwalk improvements.

WEST SPRINGFIELD will receive $825,000 to provide public facilities improvements (Boys and Girls Club), Chapin Street infrastructure improvements, code enforcement, FTHB program, ESOL, employment training and Head Start.

WINCHENDON will receive $715,510 for Railroad Street infrastructure improvements and to provide fuel assistance.

Baker Administration Awards $46 Million for Affordable Housing

by | Mar 2, 2021 | Housing News

On March 2, the Baker-Politio Administration announced $46 million in affordable housing awards that will support 12 projects in 8 communities, creating 572 new homes, including 507 affordable homes, with 108 reserved for extremely low-income households.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is providing $46.1 million in direct subsidies, and awarding 73 project-based Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program vouchers and 67 project-based federal Housing Choice vouchers. Additionally, DHCD is allocating $4.8 million in state housing tax credits and $10.9 million in federal housing tax credits, which will create approximately $125 million in equity.

Affordable Rental Housing Awards

The Residences at Kelly’s Corner is a new construction project for seniors to be built in Acton. The sponsor is the non-profit Common Ground Development Corporation. DHCD will support the project with federal low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The town of Acton also will support the project with local funds. When completed, the project will offer 31 units affordable to seniors earning less than 60 percent of AMI, including 10 units reserved for seniors earning less than 30 percent of AMI. As required by DHCD policy, the sponsor also will provide support services to new senior residents of the project.

37 Union Street is a historic adaptive re-use project in Attleboro. The sponsor is the for‑profit E3 Development LLC. DHCD will support this transit-oriented, mixed-income project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Attleboro will support the project with local funds. When completed, 37 Union Street will offer 59 total rental units. 42 units will be restricted for households earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 8 units further restricted for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI.

1599 Columbus Avenue is a 65-unit new construction project located in Boston. The sponsor is the non-profit Urban Edge. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support the project with local funds. When completed, all 65 units will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 8 units further reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families making the transition from homelessness.  Urban Edge intends to build the project to Passive House standards.

2147 Washington is a new construction mixed-income project to be built near Nubian Square in Boston. The sponsor is a partnership between New Atlantic Development and the Dream Collaborative. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support the project with local funds. When completed, 2147 Washington will offer 62 total rental units. 45 rental units will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 16 units further reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families transitioning from homelessness. In addition to rental units, the project will feature 12 condominium for-sale units and a new café for the Haley House. The sponsor intends to build 2147 Washington to Passive House standards.

9 Leyland is a 43-unit new construction project for seniors to be built in Boston. The sponsor is Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support the project with local funds. When completed, all 43 units at 9 Leyland will be reserved for seniors earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 11 units further restricted for seniors earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including seniors transitioning from homelessness. In accordance with DHCD requirements for senior housing, the sponsor, working with Hebrew Senior Life, will offer support services to the new residents of 9 Leyland. The sponsor intends to build the project to Passive House standards.

Dudley Crossing 1 is a 47-unit new construction and preservation project located in Roxbury. The sponsor is the non-profit Nuestra Comunidad. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support the project with local funds. When completed, 42 of the 47 total units will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 5 units further restricted for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families transitioning from homelessness.

Morton Station Village is a new construction project to be built in Mattapan. The sponsor is the non-profit Caribbean Integration Community Development, working with the Planning Office of the Archdiocese of Boston. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Boston also will support the project with local funds. When completed, Morton Station Village will offer 31 total residential units, with 24 units reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, and 7 units further restricted for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families transitioning from homelessness. In addition to 31 rental units, the project will include 9 condominium for-sale units.

1005 Broadway is a 38-unit new construction project located in Chelsea. The sponsor is Traggorth Companies. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Chelsea also will support the project with funds of its own. When completed, all 38 units at 1005 Broadway will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 8 units further reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families making the transition from homelessness. The sponsor intends to build the project to Passive House standards.

910 Main Street is a 49-unit new construction project in Great Barrington. The sponsor is the non-profit Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire, working with the non-profit Way Finders of Springfield. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The town of Great Barrington also will support the project with local funds. When completed, 910 Main Street will offer 49 units reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 15 units further reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families making the transition from homelessness.

The Lighthouses is a 44-unit new construction project on two sites in Salem. The sponsor is the non-profit North Shore Community Development Coalition. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Salem also will support the project with local funds. When completed, all 46 units will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 8 units further reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families making the transition from homelessness.  The sponsor intends to build The Lighthouses to Passive House standards.

The Union Block is a historic rehabilitation/adaptive re-use project located in Taunton’s central business district. The sponsor is the non-profit Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH). DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Taunton also will support the project with local funds. When completed, The Union Block will offer 38 total units. 26 units will be reserved for households earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 4 units further restricted for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including households transitioning from homelessness.

Woodland Cove Phase 1 is a new construction mixed-income project in Wareham. The sponsor is Dakota Partners, Inc. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The town of Wareham also will support the project with local funds.  When completed, Woodland Cove Phase 1 will offer 63 total units. 56 units will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 8 units further reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of AMI, including families making the transition from homelessness. The sponsor intends to build Woodland Cove Phase 1 to Passive House standards.

Governor Baker Releases FY2022 State Budget Proposal

by | Feb 1, 2021 | Housing News

On January 27, 2021, Governor Baker released his $45.6 billion state budget for FY2022 (H.1), which begins on July 1, 2021. According to Governor Baker, the budget would support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 while reducing total state spending.

The proposal would rely on a $1.6 billion draw from the state’s rainy day fund. The current state budget relied on a $1.7 billion draw from the rainy day fund. The fund is expected to have a balance of $2.5 billion at the start of FY2022. The Baker Administration said that if the federal government makes more relief funding available to states or if tax collections improve, the use of rainy day fund money in fiscal 2022 would be reduced.

The Governor’s proposal includes cuts to many affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development priorities, including to rental assistance programs, public housing, RAFT, and HomeBASE.

For more information on the Governor’s budget proposal for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs:

The budget process now turns to the Massachusetts Housing of Representatives. The House is expected to release its FY2022 budget proposal in April.

CHAPA will be working to protect and expand affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs in the final FY2022 state budget to ensure that access to safe and affordable homes remain a critical part of our defense against and recovery from COVID-19.

Action Alert: Ask Governor Baker to Sign the Economic Development Bill TODAY

by | Jan 12, 2021 | Housing News

In the early morning of January 6, the Legislature sent its final Economic Development bill (H.5250) to the Governor. The bill includes many transformative housing policies that CHAPA and our partners have advocated for, including Housing Choice, zoning for multi-family housing in MBTA communities, expanding the state Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and other provisions that will allow more Massachusetts residents to have safe, healthy, and affordable homes in communities of their choice.

A shortage of affordable homes, decades of restrictive zoning, and a history of gentrification and redlining continue to perpetuate segregation in our state. The housing provisions in the Economic Development bill provide much-needed tools and resources for systemic change towards more equitable housing policy. With these tools, we can create more homes for people who need them while preventing displacement and promoting fair housing for all.

But our work isn’t over yet! The Governor now has ten days to sign or veto the bill.

Please help pass this bill by contacting the Governor TODAY to ask him to quickly sign the Economic Development bill with all housing provisions!

You can use the following script in your message to the Governor:

I am writing to ask that you quickly sign the Economic Development Bill and include important housing provisions. As thousands of households are struggling to find and stay in their homes, these housing provisions would allow communities the chance to create more affordable housing opportunities for all, avoid displacement of long-time residents, and start to undo the unjust policies that create and perpetuate segregation. Massachusetts needs these critical policies and resources to ensure everyone has a safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home. Thank you!

As always, thank you for your advocacy and for your support of CHAPA’s priorities.

For a full summary of the housing-related provisions in the bill, visit CHAPA’s post on the legislation.

Governor Signs Eviction Protection Law

by | Jan 4, 2021 | Housing News

Governor Baker signed into law Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2020 on December 31, 2020, that establishes certain eviction protections and related policy changes. These provisions can help tenants better navigate through the complexities of eviction proceedings and help increase awareness of existing housing payment programs.

The language was originally passed by the Legislature as outside section 79, 80, 88 and 103 in the FY2021 budget that were amended by the Governor. The Legislature overrode the amendments and passed the language as as bill no. H.5181 An Act Providing for Eviction Protections during the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency.

The new law establishes the following:

  • Revised notices to quit for COVID-related evictions;
  • Delaying eviction cases if there is a pending application for emergency rental assistance;
  • Reporting requirements for the Eviction Diversion Initiative; and
  • The creation of a task force to make recommendation on how to improve the Eviction Diversion Initiative. (See description below)

CHAPA thanks the Legislature and the Governor to ensure support for eviction protections during the ongoing pandemic and work towards equitable recovery through housing support.

Description of the sections:

COVID-19 Notices to Quit:

During the COVID-19 emergency declaration, requires property owners to accompany any notice to quit for non-payment of rent sent to a tenant with a form with certain information specified in the statute. The form can be found at mass.gov/noticetoquit. It includes:

  1. A statement on whether the tenant provided a declaration invoking protection from the CDC federal eviction moratorium;
  2. A statement on whether the unit is covered by the eviction moratorium on certain rental properties with federal assistance or federally related financing under the federal CARES Act;
  3. Documentation of any repayment agreement between the property owner and tenant; and
  4. Information on:
    • Available rental assistance programs;
    • Applicable trial court rules or orders about eviction cases; and
    • Any relevant federal or state legal restrictions on evictions.

The new law also requires a landlord to send to EOHED electronically a copy of any notice to quit for nonpayment of rent given in writing to a residential tenant  EOHED has created a portal for landlords to upload the required electronic copy of the notice to quit.  The portal for upload also can be found at mass.gov/noticetoquit.

COVID-19 Eviction Case Delay for Pending RAFT Applications:

Directs courts to grant a continuance or stay an execution of judgement for non-payment of rent eviction cases caused by COVID-19 if the tenant has a pending application for any emergency rental assistance. Also requires the trial court to report data on eviction cases, cases participating in pretrial mediation, the number of parties receiving legal assistance, and other relevant information.

Reporting on Eviction Diversion Initiative:

Requires DHCD to report monthly on the Governor’s Eviction Diversion Initiative, including information on:

  • Expansion of RAFT;
  • Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program;
  • Expansion of Housing Consumer Education Centers;
  • Rapid rehousing assistance, including HomeBASE;
  • Expansion of the Tenancy Preservation Program; and
  • Any other relevant information.

Also requires DHCD to report the number of notices to quit received by EOHED.

Eviction Diversion Initiative Task Force:

Creates a task force on the Eviction Diversion Initiative to track outcomes and make recommendations on how to improve its effectiveness, efficiency, and reach. Directs the task force to submit a report on its finding and recommendations by January 31, 2021.